Home of Dreams

At just sixteen years old, Wanume Lasuli founded the Home of Dreams orphanage. Inspired by a personal tragedy within his own family, he became determined to help other children who had nowhere else to go. With an estimated three million orphaned children, Uganda has one of the highest numbers in Africa. Many of the children Wanume cares for were found living on the streets or were left without family following the burial ceremonies of their parents. With little support beyond his father, Wanume became both caregiver and family to dozens of children, some as young as two years old, who now call Home of Dreams their own.

When Wanume first shared his dream of opening an orphanage, his father generously offered part of their own house to use. To shelter as many children as possible, Wanume gave up the privacy of his own bedroom. As the number of children rose to twenty, the orphanage eventually outgrew the family’s home, forcing Wanume to rent a small house. Being responsible for paying rent each month while also providing food, clothing, medical care, and education is an enormous challenge for any one individual, especially one so young.

Wanume believes strongly in education and does all he can to ensure that every child goes to school. As the children grow older, they graduate, and use their skills to begin independent lives of their own. Their successes allow Wanume to welcome new orphaned children into Home of Dreams to continue his mission.